This is a tribute of UNESCO to the head of the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability of Water Resources at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala, who passed away last July victim of COVID-19
People close to Joram Gil remember him as an affectionate man, close to his family, passionate about his work and committed to his community. He was an engineer who devoted his life to the academy. Throughout his rich professional career, he kept a marked social sensitivity in relation to the human right to water that he also proclaimed as a member of the UNESCO water family
Until his last days, he was the responsible of the UNESCO Chair for the Sustainability of Water Resources at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC), position that allowed him to perform a dedicated work on education for the youth as well as on water resources management at national and regional level.
The Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Program (IHP) and the UNITWIN Program of Chairs at UNESCO in Paris kept periodical exchange with him since 2005 when the Chair was established. They have expressed the deep sadness that the loss of one of their members means, and remarked that Joram Gil will be deeply missed by those who had the privilege of having met him.
He had a strong background as a civil engineer with master's degrees in sanitary engineering, hydraulic resources, business administration and organizational leadership. He worked as university and postgraduate professor for 30 years at USAC at the Regional (Central American) School of Sanitary Engineering and Hydraulic Resources ERIS, and at the School of Postgraduate Studies of the Faculty of Engineering and at several private universities in Guatemala and of the College of Engineers of Guatemala.
"Professor Joram Gil gained the respect of his colleagues and leaves many friends at the IHP Secretariat, in the UNESCO Water Family and the international scientific community," expressed Mr. Miguel Doria, UNESCO regional hydrologist, who also recalled the important contributions of the Chair to the water security in the region.
Joram Gil developed an outstanding advisory work in projects for water resources, wastewater treatment plants, irrigation, river hydraulics and hydroelectric plants for both international organizations and private companies. His works constitute a relevant contribution to the right of access to water.
He was the president of the Guatemalan College of Engineers and of the Assembly of Presidents of the Professional Colleges in Guatemala, President of the Guatemalan Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, and President of the Continuing Education Council of the Guatemalan College of Engineers CEDUCA.
“Not only did he generate professional confidence, but also deep personal confidence, he briefly told me very wise and sensible reflections that have helped and continue contributing to the work of UNESCO in Guatemala," remarked Julio Carranza, director of the UNESCO office in Guatemala. "His early departure surprises and hurts, he will always remain in our memory" he emphasized.
Throughout his prolific performance at the IHP, Joram Gil developed a series of teaching materials on water resource management especially aimed at indigenous communities. He also participated in several capacity-building courses as an invited professor or panelist at international conferences, such as the I Congress of the UNESCO Water Chairs (Perugia, Italy 2016) where brought the voice of the LAC chairs; and at the biannual meetings of the UNESCO water family in Latin America and the Caribbean.
UNESCO will remember Joram Gil for his passion, his ability to support and motivate young professionals and students as well as for his commitment to the most vulnerable communities. But above all his virtues, we will remember him for his human quality, his kindness and warmth.
Farewel, Joram!